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Dan Duquette one of likely only four more to interview for Orioles' GM job

Club will bring in former Red Sox GM Friday; Dodgers' Watson withdraws from consideration

CAPTIONS

Prince Fielder, 1B, MilwaukeeAfter Pujols, he is the big fish in this shallow free-agent pond. Since several of the big-money teams are set at first base and the 27-year-old surely doesn't want to be pigeonholed as a designated hitter — he is a competent fielder — the market for his bank-busting contract seems limited. So, technically, the Orioles could slip in there, and some national media think they will. Don't bet on it. Orioles owner Peter Angelos doesn't set records for contract amounts, especially for someone with such a bad body (Fielder is listed as 5 feet 11, 275 pounds). Throw in the fact that he is a client of Scott Boras and looking for a winner, and the bottom would really have to drop out of his market for the big man to land here. (Getty photo /October 13, 2011)

The Orioles' parade of general manager candidates started again Thursday with former club executive Scott Proefrock and will continue Friday with former Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos general manager Dan Duquette.

It also is expected to include New York Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer — perhaps as early as Saturday — Minnesota Twins vice president Mike Radcliff and Boston Red Sox vice president and former Kansas City Royals GM Allard Baird, according to an industry source.

After that, the Orioles likely will end their search, with a total of nine candidates having come into the law offices of managing partner Peter Angelos. An industry source said the Orioles are not expected to ask permission for, or interview, any other candidates at this time. They would like to have this process wrapped up by next week.

As of Thursday night, however, only two of the five candidates who have interviewed were still in the mix. Jerry Dipoto took the GM post with the Los Angeles Angels, and Toronto's Tony LaCava turned down the Orioles' offer to stay with the Blue Jays.

And, on Thursday, Los Angeles Dodgers assistant GM De Jon Watson pulled his name out of consideration, according to an industry source.

That leaves only Orioles player-development director John Stockstill and Proefrock, the assistant general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, until Duquette interviews Friday.

Proefrock, 51, spent three years as the Orioles' director of baseball administration from 2006 to 2008 before leaving for the Phillies. A contracts and rules expert, he has also worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He still lives in Phoenix.

"It was a very good conversation, a great experience for me having never gone through the [GM interview] process before," Proefrock said Thursday. "I am very appreciative of the opportunity. I shared my thoughts and perspective, which, I believe, is a unique one from having been there."

Duquette, the cousin of former Orioles vice president Jim Duquette, will be the sixth candidate to interview for the position left vacant by Andy MacPhail last month.

Once considered one of the best and brightest — and brashest — executives in baseball, Duquette, 53, had success with the Expos, whom he led from 1991 to 1994, and the Red Sox, whom he was with from 1994 until 2002.

He was dismissed by the Red Sox after an ownership change and has worked with various minor league teams since. He runs the Dan Duquette Sports Academy in Hinsdale, Mass.

Oppenheimer, 49, has been the Yankees' scouting director since 2005 and before that was the organization's director of player personnel. He also interviewed for the Angels job this year.

Radcliff, 55, is the Twins' vice president of player personnel after having spent 14 years as the club's scouting director, during which he earned the reputation as a top talent evaluator. Minnesota is the only organization he has worked for.

Baird, who turns 50 on Tuesday, has been with the Red Sox since 2006. Before that, he was the Royals' general manager for six years.